Polyunsaturated fatty acids in human milk: an essential role in infant development

• Published in: Advances in experimental medicine and biology Vol. 554; p. 27
• Main Author: Innis, Sheila M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2004
• Subjects: Brain - growth & development; Brain - metabolism; Child Development; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - physiology; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 - physiology; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - administration & dosage; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - metabolism; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated - physiology; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula - chemistry; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Infant, Newborn; Lactation; Milk, Human - chemistry; Milk, Human - metabolism

The n-6 and n-3 fatty acids are essential dietary nutrients required for optimal growth and development, particularly of the brain and retina. Large amounts of the n-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is accumulated in the brain grey matter and the visual elements of the retina during developme...